Benchmark Genetics Shrimp operates a world-leading breeding program for Penaeus vannamei.
With its breeding nucleus in Colombia, and from its modern and biosecure Elite Multiplication Centre in Fellsmere, FL, USA, Benchmark Genetics Shrimp develops, produces and globally distributes genetically improved, high performing Shrimp strains with improved health and efficiency adapted to modern farming conditions.
Using a combination of the most advanced genomic methods and conventional genetics, our program aims to identify the individuals that are genetically faster growing and more resistant to disease. These individuals are used as parents in each new generation to improve the nucleus population and produce broodstock which better meets the needs and expectations of our customers.
Our selective breeding program is the world’s most scientifically documented genetic improvement program for P. vannamei shrimp, with an emphasis on developing populations of breeders with a high level of robustness to certain of the major diseases affecting the shrimp industry worldwide, such as EHP, WFS, WSSV, and AHPND.
Our stocks have a broad genetic base originating from multiple geographical sources, wild and domesticated, to which we refer to as ‘The Gene Supermarket’.
This genetic base, sourced from breeders in Colombia, Hawaii, and Venezuela, and from the wild populations in Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panamá, and Peru amongst others, increases the diversity of our stock and provides our team of geneticists with multiple options and a wider range of selection for breeding.
There are significant interactions between Genetics and Environment. The best animals for one environment – or management practices – are not necessarily the best for another.
We conduct continuous collaborative work with our partners and clients to develop and deliver lines that are the most adaptable to their environmental conditions. We produce specialized lines that are specially adapted to thrive in specific environments and balanced lines that combine the best of improved growth with robustness and disease resistance.
Biosecurity is the main priority in all our operations, as it is the core of the breeding program. Our strains are SPF certified by the University of Arizona (UAZ), and health surveillance is conducted with the chain of custody of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited veterinarian.
Aligned with Benchmark’s to animal welfare, none of our facilities use eyestalk ablation.
Our sites in the Americas are safely isolated from other aquaculture productions and have only one biosecure entrance through their securely fenced perimeters. Access is controlled and restricted, and rigorous sanitary routines are carried out daily to ensure our strict levels of biosecurity.
Our stocks have a broad genetic base originating from selected breeders in Colombia, Hawaii, and Venezuela and the wild populations in Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, and Peru.
This genetic base increases the genetic diversity and provides our team of geneticists with multiple options and a wider range of selection to breed lines for specific environments.
Watch the video presentation of Dr Ross Houston about Genomic Approaches to Develop Robust and Fast-Growing Shrimp Lines here
Implementing the latest genomic tools, our breeding programme has pioneered the development of selected stocks uniquely combining high performance, disease resistance and robustness.
Designed and supervised by Benchmark Genetics Norway (formerly Akvaforsk Genetics), our program is the world’s most scientifically documented genetic improvement program for P. Vannamei shrimp. It focuses on developing lines with improved growth and a high level of resistance to some of the major diseases affecting the shrimp industry worldwide, such as WSSV, EHP, WFS, and AHPND.
Our strains are USDA certified as Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF), and none of our female breeders has been eyestalk ablated.
Operated by Benchmark Genetics’ team of experts in the USA, Norway, and Colombia.
Our global presence is consolidated by our local sales and technical teams, production centers, and commercial alliances in the main markets in Asia and the Americas.
